DOES ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AFFECT ENTREPRENEURIAL CAREER INTENTION AND PREFERENCE FOR SELF VERSUS WAGE EMPLOYMENT AMONG POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS?

Adekunle, Morufu A.¹ & Aye, Gabriel A.²

ABSTRACT

This study examines the influence of Entrepreneurship Education (EE) on Entrepreneurial Career Intention and Preference for self employment against wage employment among Polytechnic students in Idah, Kogi State – Nigeria. Data were collected from random sample of 240 HND and ND students, comprising of 120 females and 120 males within the age range of 19 years and 29 years, with a mean age of 22.4 years (S.D=2.17). A structured questionnaire was developed as tool to collect data which was analysed using t-test and chi-square statistical analysis. Result revealed that there was a significant difference in Entrepreneurial Intention  (EI) of final year HND students that have been exposed to EE compared to year one ND students that were not exposed to EE (t = 7.07; df = 208; p < .05). Also, final year HND students that were exposed to EE have significantly higher mean score on EI (17.53) compare to first year ND students that were not exposed to EE (14.58). In addition, result shows that final year HND students that have been exposed to EE significantly differ in preference for self employment against wage employment than the first year ND students that have not been exposed to EE (X² = 43.31, df =1; p < .05). It was concluded that EE is an imperative and that Nigerian government should embark on a massive programme on integrated entrepreneurship development by establishing state-level centre for entrepreneurship programmes.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship Education, Intention, Preference, Self Employment.